U.S. DOT Announces Funding Opportunity for Small Business Innovation Research Program

 
02/26/2022

Connections Marketplace set to provide thousands of annual business connections and bridge the gap between small business vendors and procurement officials 



On Wednesday, February 23, 2022, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) kicked off its Connections Marketplace (CMP) initiative with a Buyer Side Chat featuring DOT’s Federal Railroad Administration. The CMP will present a new, free platform to help connect small businesses to USDOT procurement officials across all modal administrations.

Historically small businesses have had a challenge building relationship with federal agency representatives and large prime contractors. Through the CMP, we will be bridging this gap and building new conversations that will lead to enhance small and minority businesses engagement with federal agencies and prime contractors. Constructing meaningful connections through trainings, industry exposure and resource deployment will in turn create more contracting opportunities for small businesses and help to fuel our nation’s economy.
 

The CMP platform will include a series of monthly virtual events, aimed to engage attendees, in order to assist in demystifying the government contracting landscape. These sessions will include roundtable discussions, one-on-one matchmaking, information driven breakout sessions, and regional contractual opportunities. During these sessions, the audience will have the opportunity to engage with federal, state, and local government procurement officials such as contracting officers, program managers, and other subject matter experts.
 

Also, large prime contractors will be presenting on the CMP platform on roundtable “Teaming Talks” sessions to connect with small business teaming partners. This platform is centered around the flexibility it brings to small business owners across the nation to be able to connect from virtually anywhere with decision makers. The CMP will also assist in hosting hybrid events where attendees have the opportunity to physically be in the audience or live stream their round table, break out, and/or matchmaking sessions.
 

The mission of the OSDBU is to ensure Small Business policies and goals of the Secretary of Transportation are implemented in a fair, efficient and effective manner. In addition, our office provides technical assistance and capacity building activities through our network of Small Business Transportation Resource Centers. For questions about the CMP program, contact our office at 202-366-1930 or email us at dot-osdbu@dot.gov. Additional information  about OSDBU, upcoming events, and available technical assistance can be found at www.transportation.gov/osdbu

SOURCE: https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/us-dot-announces-funding-opportunity-small-business-innovation-research-program



Back To News



SBE Northeast
 


Louisiana Business JournalArchive